Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU)

Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU)

Table of Content [Hide]

    What Is a Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU)?

    A Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) is a standard measure in container shipping that represents the size of a 40-foot shipping container. It’s commonly used to calculate freight capacity, pricing, and terminal volume—just like its counterpart, the TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit).


    FEU = One 40-Foot Container

    Here’s what a standard 40-foot container typically measures:


    DimensionSize

    Length

    40 feet (12.19 meters)

    Width

    8 feet (2.44 meters)

    Height

    8.5 feet (2.59 meters)

    Internal Volume

    ~67.5 cubic meters

    Tare Weight

    ~3,800 kg (varies by model)

    Max Gross Weight

    ~30,480 kg


    1 FEU = 2 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)


    Where Is FEU Used?

    1. Shipping Line Pricing
      Most freight rates for FCL (Full Container Load) shipments are quoted per FEU or per 40HQ (40’ High Cube) unit.

    2. Port Statistics
      Ports and terminals measure cargo throughput in TEU. One FEU counts as 2 TEU, even if it doesn’t hold exactly twice the volume.

    3. Logistics Planning
      FEU helps shippers compare per-unit shipping costs, especially when choosing between 20ft, 40ft, and 40HQ options.


    FEU vs. 40HC (High Cube)

    Container TypeHeightVolume

    Standard 40ft

    8'6"

    ~67.5 m³

    40ft High Cube

    9'6"

    ~76 m³

    A 40HQ container is still considered 1 FEU, even though it holds more volume.


    When Should You Use an FEU?

    • You have more than 25–28 CBM of goods to ship

    • Your cargo is bulky, long, or tall

    • You want better value per cubic meter than LCL or 20ft options

    • You’re planning door-to-door FCL shipments from China to major destinations (e.g., USA, UK, EU)



    References
    PREV: No information
    Other Articles About CUC Logistic Services
    Contact Us Now!
    We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, analyze site traffic and personalize content. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Visit our cookie policy to learn more.
    Reject Accept